A11. Always ask #ParkChat people first, is my rule. Essays like those by @adamsowards.net often contain good info that I’ll use in planning, too. And books about a given park, because they include places important in the park’s history and I like to visit those if I can.

A10. All of the above, but I usually have good luck when I decide the recommended trail is too crowded and just pick a nearby one instead. #ParkChat

A9. Guadalupe Mountains has a lot of human history tucked into plenty of places if you’re willing to hike a bit. Indigenous, Spanish, early settler, ranching, sometimes right on top of each other. #ParkChat

A8. A ranger suggested we hike the South Mountain trail at Valles Caldera to the snow line. The trail was clear, and on the way down we startled two bear cubs in a Pondy pine—and heard a loud huff from the mother, who we never saw. Instant adrenaline. #ParkChat

A6. From the summit of Capulin Volcano, the geology of where the Rockies meet the Great Plains is visible and stunning. So many volcanic features everywhere. #ParkChat

A5. Mesa Verde is stunning, but if you want fewer people and tons of ancient architecture, try Hovenweep and Canyons of the Ancients national monuments nearby. #ParkChat

A4. People rightfully go to Bandelier to see the amazing cavates and pueblo structures, but the Frey Trail, which follows the old road to the rim, is well worth the hike. I have never met anyone on that trail. #ParkChat

A3. Part of me selfishly doesn’t want lesser-known parks to get more attention, because then they get more people. But since you asked, how about Cedar Breaks, which my family infamously skipped on the way from Zion to Bryce Canyon, to my everlasting chagrin. I still haven’t made it there. #ParkChat

A2. Underrated, hmmm. That’s a tough one. I don’t think it’s underrated, just not as crowded, and I’d really like to see Great Basin NP. #ParkChat

A1. On the way to Rio Grande del Norte NM, we stopped at La Cueva in Taos and had the best tortilla soup ever. Eight years later, we went back and it was just as good. Amazing. In the parks, Roosevelt Lodge Dining Room in Yellowstone. Hello from rainy Vancouver, #ParkChat!

A10. Fort Vancouver does a living history day a few times a year, including cooking demonstrations and talks in the dining room about what would have been served and when. Really interesting. #ParkChat

A9. On a hike to Ranger Falls at Mount Rainier I had a strong sense of being watched and knew there’d been mountain lion sightings in the area. And (repeat story) I heard one scream as I was driving on the Mather Parkway at Rainier. Absolutely chilling. #ParkChat

A8. Nope. Not me. I’m good, thanks. #ParkChat

A7. We’ve been to Carlsbad Caverns, Wind Cave, and Jewel Cave. Only one was open, and we did get to see the bats! Does Ape Cave at Mt. St. Helens count, @mtmagog.bsky.social? #ParkChat

A6. When we visited Hampton NHS in Baltimore, we didn’t go inside the house because it was closed, but I thought a lot about the people enslaved there and what their lives might have been like. Certainly they did not enjoy the manicured grounds as we did. #ParkChat

A4. I’m thinking @beckyjlomax.bsky.social, because she spends a lot of time on trail and would likely be prepared and be able to figure out a plan. #ParkChat

A3. Aw, none of them! #ParkChat people are the best people. But there are several I don’t think I could keep up with on a trail.

A2. Neither. I lie awake, listening intently and scaring myself. Seriously, once I lay awake listening to a scritch-scritch sound for hours. It sounded like something pawing at the ground. Next morning I found the culprit: a branch of Western redcedar just low enough to scrape the tent. 🙄 #ParkChat

A1. @tthrash.bsky.social already a complicated Q?! We don’t celebrate Halloween per se. We follow the Wheel of the Year, which marks seasonal changes in eight-week increments. We celebrate Samhain (say SOW-hen), an ancient harvest festival that gave rise to most modern Halloween traditions.#ParkChat

My Wednesdays have been crazy, but I’m finally here for the always excellent #spookyParkChat #ParkChat!

Thank you @babyboomersaves.bsky.social for a great #ParkChat. I couldn’t keep up!

A10. Us and climate change. Which is caused by us. Also invasive species. Also caused by us. #ParkChat

A9. A. Route 66. It’s kind of weird to see the old telephone poles still there, marking the route. #ParkChat

A8. c? That seems really tall for an East Coast tree, but I dunno. Maybe. The pic is on Whidbey Island, where there are some massive old trees. @mtmagog.bsky.social #ParkChat

A7. Petroglyphs or rock art. I think some are a “Kilroy was here” type of marker. Some are cultural markers, telling stories and holding traditions. Many we have no idea. These are all in Washington. #ParkChat

a6. C? Stephen Mather, John C. Merriam, Newton Drury. #ParkChat

A5. I feel like I should know this but I do not. It’s got to be harder than sandstone, right, to have lasted so long but still show signs of long weathering? Hmm. I find all rocks interesting but maybe volcanic most of all. #ParkChat

A4. D, right? And nope, haven’t been to that park. Yet. #ParkChat

A3. Is it Delicate Arch? I don’t know. But Mount Rainier National Park has a natural arch. You’ve got to work for it, though—13 miles one way into the backcountry. Worth it. #ParkChat

A2. People visit the PNW and are awed by the trees in the neighborhood. Then they get to the parks! Big evergreens are standard here. All three WA national parks have old trees: 1000yo cedars in the North Cascades, ancient redcedar in Olympic, Doug-firs in Rainier. #ParkChat

A1. Don’t make me choose! How about forests with big rock formations in them? #ParkChat

Sorry I’m late, #ParkChat. Crazy busy recently. Why? Why?

A10. Every time I’m in Santa Fe I go to Pecos National Historical Park. I’m drawn to the visible layers of human history in the park: ancient Puebloan, Spanish conquistadors and priests, the Civil War, ranching, the Golden Age of Hollywood, and modern archaeology. It’s all right there. #ParkChat

A9. I can’t think of any. I might just be not as aware/open to these things as others are. #ParkChat

A7. All the Cascade volcanoes have indigenous names and stories about their relationships with each other and with the peoples who live near them, including Mount Rainier aka Tahoma. Lots of stories about her temper and taboos on climbing above snow line. #ParkChat

A5. Every park has indigenous history, some highlight it or focus on it more. Every time I go, I am reminded of how little I know and can understand about other cultures, whether ancient or contemporary. It’s impossible for me to imagine those lives, but feels important to try. #ParkChat

A4. Like @camarowrx.bsky.social, thunderstorms while camping. Lightning striking in the campground at Lake Mead. I ended up spending the night in the concrete-block restroom with a couple other people. #ParkChat

A2. I don’t know about known taboos, but I try to be very respectful when visiting cemetery or funeral sites, or sites that are important to indigenous peoples. That often includes what some describe as “ruins." #ParkChat

A1. That the animals in the parks are tame—like parks are petting zoos. And hello, #ParkChat!

Great #ParkChat, @pamportland.org--thank you!

A11. Lake Clark, with my husband and favorite travel partner, Mr. Adventure. #ParkChat

I second these recommendations and would add that the Skagit Valley Co-op in Mount Vernon is excellent as well. #ParkChat

A10. When I was driving my daughter's car across the country to leave it with her in Baltimore, I was 35 miles from Golden Spike NHP and I didn't stop because I was trying to make time. When I am going to get back there?! 🤦‍♀️ #ParkChat

A9. I don't know that I've ever gotten lost, but I've run into a few trail intersections with missing signs and been awfully glad I always carry a paper map. #Parkchat

A8. "You might want to turn around here; we just saw a mother grizzly and two cubs coming down this trail." At Kenai Fjords. We took the advice. #ParkChat

A7. I love food, but I don't usually provide advice about food in the park. Towns outside, yes. Like, don't miss the elk burger at Cliff Droppers in Packwood, WA, outside of Mount Rainier. #ParkChat

A5. Washington has several state parks that are of national park quality. Luckily, they're not national parks so they're (mostly) not overrun. Deception Pass, Steamboat Rock, Cape Disappointment, Palouse Falls... #ParkChat

A4. A few years ago I was visiting my kid in Baltimore and we checked out Hampton National Historic Site with no preparation other than mapping "national park." It was so interesting, and of course delightful to explore with her. #ParkChat

A3. Something like 98% of visitors to the national parks never leave the pavement. Get on a trail and you're likely to have some of the park to yourself. #ParkChat

A2. Go to lesser-known sites. You will be blown away. #ParkChat